Read the History section here to get a idea where to start looking for primary sources. There are actual descriptions of the disease and its vector written down in the 18th and 19th centuries. DNA tests showed Ötzi the Iceman had lyme disease more than 5 thousand years ago.

There is plenty of evidence that Lyme existed in Europe more than 100 years ago as well. The first case documented in the US was only discovered because the doctor remember a description of the disease from some European medical papers. Please, the idea that this was somehow new and could have been an "escaped" bio-weapon is farcical.